What can I do with a recreation, park, and leisure studies degree?
Students graduating with a major in recreation, park, and leisure studies develop many transferable skills and can use their education in a variety of fields!
Below is a list of potential employers and career opportunities for recreation, park, and leisure studies. This is not an exhaustive listing. The world of work is always evolving and over time job titles and work settings can change.
Potential employers
Recreational administration
- aquatic facilities
- arenas
- businesses
- community centers/programs
- convention services
- cruise lines
- event planning
- ecotourism agencies
- fitness centers
- golf courses
- guide services
- ice arenas
- nonprofit youth agencies
- outdoor outfitters
- party services
- public park systems
- rafting companies
- recreation centers and departments
- resorts and hotels
- sport clinics
- sporting goods stores
- sports events
- theme parks
- travel companies
- travel/tourism bureaus
- tourism facilities
- tourism planning agencies
- vendors
- youth recreation programs
Outdoor recreation
- camps
- challenge courses
- college outdoor programs
- conservation organizations
- environmental education centers
- federal government
- DNR
- interpretive centers
- local government
- nature centers
- outdoor programs/business
- outdoor tripping organizations
- recreation facilities
- regional park systems
- state government
- state or national parks
- U.S. Forest System
Career opportunities
Recreational administration
- administrator
- campground director
- commercial recreation manager
- commercial recreation staff
- community center director
- convention manager
- cruise director
- event manager/planner
- facility manager
- golf course manager
- private club staff
- program manager
- promotions/marketing
- recreation administrator
- recreation facilities manager
- recreation program director
- resort staff/management
- sales
- small business owner
- tour guide
- travel support staff
- youth agency director
- youth program coordinator
Outdoor recreation
- adventure education
- adventure travel coordinator
- camp counselor
- camp management/director
- environmental educator
- naturalist
- natural resource manager
- outdoor educator
- outdoor facilities manager
- park /forest ranger
- park maintenance manager
- park management
- recreation leader
- recreation programmer
- wildlife manager
- wilderness survival teacher
Additional assistance
Schedule an individual appointment by calling 612-625-3339.
Revised June 2009